Arkansas House Sends Ethics, Petition Rules To Voters

A proposal to ban most lobbyist gifts to elected officials, prohibit corporate contributions and loosen Arkansas' term limits for legislators will appear on the ballot next year.

By a 76-3 vote, the House approved a proposal to let voters decide on adding a package of ethics and campaign finance rules to the state's constitution. The measure also would set up an independent commission to set salaries for state elected officials.

The House earlier also voted to refer to voters a proposal that would make it harder for people to put measures on the ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment would require at least 75 percent of signatures submitted be verified as from registered voters before campaigns are given more time to circulate petitions.